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Replacing proprietary anti-virus software

One of the major software programs we should be using every day, is a virus scanner. This single piece of software can be found on almost every PC in the world.

It is also a major source of funding for companies like McAfee and Norton. So I was pleasantly surprised when I got a note about a new free software alternative to these costly proprietary anti-virus programs, ClamWin Free Antivirus.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got a note about a new free software alternative to these costly proprietary anti-virus programs, [ClamWin Free Antivirus ](http://clamwin.com)

ClamWin has gone so far as to win the “Project of the Month” award from SourceForge. This month, I’ll happily guide you through ClamWin’s strengths and weaknesses and guide you through some key features.

Installation and configuration

ClamWin has a nice, easy to browse website which quickly lead me to the download. At under 5MB it was a breeze, even for my poor old 56k modem.

The installation went without a hitch, taking only a few minutes to install the software with the default options. The installer also lead me though a simple update process, which went by quickly. This process gets the latest definitions from ClamAV.

The installation went without a hitch, taking only a few minutes to install the software with the default options

The program was installed fully configured, although many options are available for more advanced users. There’s also an Outlook email scanner and context menu add-in for Windows Explorer.

All in all, I had the program set up in 5 minutes (minus the update process). After completing the setup process the application immediately started in my system tray.

Starting up

ClamWin provided a very user friendly interface and ample documentation.

ClamWin’s main screen

The entire program was well laid out and all of the main features could easily be accessed from the main window.

It’s important to note that ClamWin doesn’t perform active scanning (e.g. Scanning files as you open them). ClamWin requires you to perform scanning manually or via preset scheduled scans.

ClamWin also allowed me to set up automatic updates. In my testing I didn’t check the typical update time, but it should be rather short as only the definitions need to be updated.

Scanning

I tested ClamAV by scanning a 221MB CD-ROM. In my tests it took 6 minutes (noting that the proprietary McAfee takes only 30 seconds). The scanning interface was very clean and uncluttered. I was unable to test with real viruses (for obvious reasons), however the ClamAV libraries are very trusted, and hence should pick up any nasties.

ClamWin’s preferences

The context menu scanner also works very well, allowing you to quickly scan any files you might have any doubts about. The email scanner only works with Outlook, although files can be scanned individually outside the client.

The scheduler can be used to set scans and updates to occur when you’re away from your computer. The scheduler was easy to use, and I was able to quickly set up a series of scans for my PC.

The scheduler was easy to use, and I was able to quickly set up a series of scans for my PC

It should also be noted that anti-virus technology is best paired with a good firewall for optimum security.

Updating ClamWin

Conclusion

ClamWin provided everything that would be required by most anti-virus users and then some; the lack of active scanning being the only drawback. It’s a good replacement to the proprietary software you might be using now.

My queries were answered in only a few short hours, making technical support easy for non-technical users

ClamWin also has an excellent community, with a good set of forums and very active developers. My queries were answered in only a few short hours, making technical support easy for non-technical users.

Organizations can look to ClamWin as a sign of things to come.

I hope this has inspired you to try out ClamWin for yourself, and perhaps to think twice when that “subscription fee” for your other scanner comes due. Or, if you’ve never used a virus scanner, hopefully this will give you new power to secure your digital life.

They are releasing an extension for FirefoxV1.5 browser to scan all downloaded files. It helps a bit to overcome on-access realtime scanning problem.

From: PaulUrl:Date: 2005-10-11Subject: Re: A message for Clif Brown

Clif,

One problem could be your computer has a very slow processor and an extremely small amount of RAM. Running this on server 2003, RAID array size = 240GB and it takes about 90 minutes to scan that.

From: Clif BrownUrl:Date: 2005-10-08Subject: Clamwin

I read the review of Clamwin and there is only a hint of something people should know: this program takes a long time to do a scan. On my 40 mB drive, several hours are required and there is no progress bar to tell you how far along the process has gone. I find that the only practical way to scan is to start Clamwin and let it run overnight.

From: AlexUrl:Date: 2005-10-09Subject: Scan Speed

My 80 GB harddisk was scanned in less then one hour.

I like this program.

Alex

From: Alex RUrl:Date: 2005-10-10Subject: ClamWin

I noticed that my email provider was using Clam's serverside anti-virus and was pleased to find that Clam did the Clam Win Windows version.

I used to use Norton, but found it very heavy on system resources and was looking for an alternative, but I was prepared to pay if necessary.

ClamWin installed without a hitch and uses very few system resources, making it idea for older or low ram systems in my opinion. The fact that it is free is an added benefit, but does not detract from the functioning of the program in any way. Updates are frequent and download without problem, although my XP system causes a small problem when it wakes up from standby and ClamWin initiates the update process when Windows is still not fully 'awake'. A manual update sorts out the problem - and there is a warning message so you know when something is not right.

The only weaknesses are the absence of an on-demand scanner, although this is not a great problem seeing as I always scan any downloaded files before opening them. And the fact that it is a wee bit slow - but I guess this is the price you pay for low system resource usage and a low level of system integration. Leaving it running overnight is the answer, but I imagine newer versions will get faster in the future.

All in all it is an excellent utility and the Outlook integration and forthcoming Firefox plugins will add yet more value to it.

A replacement for proprietary AV software? Definitely!

The wonderful Open Source community yet again shows the market the way to go. Long may it continue.

Check out Winpooch at http://www.winpooch.com . And of course it's open source..

From: TuntisUrl:Date: 2005-11-06Subject: ClamWin SUCKS

ClamWin sucks. It doesn't operate with multiple cygwin1.dll's in your system and tadah, I have Cygwin, an Standalone irssi, many video/audio encoding apps what use cygwin1.dll. No luck. This software sucks.

From: dlUrl:Date: 2005-11-26Subject: try the binaries...

not being a guru or anything, i installed the win32 binaries on xp and 98 without any problems. i haven't installed cygwin, so i'm assuming your version of it isn't relevent...

i'd say try it again the easy way. it sounds like you were making it hard on yourself by trying to play with the source... not that there's anything wrong with that! it's just something i've had trouble with :)

it only means, that this address or website doesnt work/exist anymore...
I am during testing whis programm, it takes some time, cause is quite slow, but it has found one suspected file on my comp, what wasnt detect by panda scanner...

there is no virus cleaner & active scan option in your clamwin anti-virus software. So you can put that option in your clamwin anti-virus software &you can sell that software at the range of 4-6$.If you do like this then you & your software will be in great demand.

Hi,Iam new to ClamWin does clamwin cleans the virus found.does it cleans or does it delete
i tried the eicar test it is able to fine the virus but does it take any action and another information i would like to know is is there any option to install this in a network so that i can push the updates to the client

No one answered this, and maybe it's because they don't speak Spanish, or maybe it's because like me, they don't know the answer, but in case of the former, the question was:

"It's a good anti-virus [software], but I would like to get a package to convert it to Castillian." (which IIRC, just means the dialect of Spanish spoken in Spain or "es_ES" locale -- probably any Spanish would do, though).

Presumeably, like most free software apps, it will have been internationalized with Gnu gettext? So there should be a source for a Castillian .po locale file somewhere?

I have been running Norton for the past year and updating my definitions on a regular basis. I have an older laptop with about 198 Mb Ram and an 800 MHZ Processor, It had really started to slowdown and drag especially when booting up. I did am "MSCONFIG" and removed many of the startup programs it helped a little but got worst over time. I downloaded clamwin and removed Norton from my startup, It was scary how fast it booted up. I scanned my computer with clamwin and found 5 infected items that Norton had not recognized and I had just done a full scan about a week ago. The only drawback I see with Clam win is that it does scan a little slow but Norton’s was not extremely fast, as a write posted early I will just scan while I am sleep.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\e1.dll: Worm.Stration.XL-6 FOUND
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ipv6rasm.dll: Worm.Stration.XL-5 FOUND
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ipv6rasm.exe: Worm.Stration.XL-4 FOUND
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ssdprasa.dll: Worm.Stration.XL-2 FOUND
C:\WINDOWS\system32\tlntqedw.dll: Worm.Stration.XL-1 FOUND
C:\WINDOWS\system32\vdieasyc.exe: Worm.Stration.XL FOUND

One fellow made the comment that Avast for home use was free and had 7 scanners. That may be true, but ClamWin is the only anti-virus I've seen, so far, that is also free for commercial use. I need a free anti-virus for a very small business, and I am very thankful that ClamWin is available. Thank you very much!

Being a huge Open Source fan,I am pleased with calmwin.
Lacking realtime scanning is no problem cuz this is an O.S App.Developers all over the world are invited and compeled to help improve,fix,and add features all the time.
I think RTS is comming,just waiting a few months

I used to have AVG Free 7.5 installed on my PC, but I was convinced that I had a trojan of some description on my PC; my processor utilisation did not add up to 100% and I could not boot off my recovery disk to do a fresh install of Windows. I tried to install Trend Micro's housecall, but the installation failed.

I eventually managed to install WinClam and found 67 viruses on my computer (most of them quarantined in my spam folder, but one in Windows/System32). I quarantined these and then scanned them with AVG. It missed them again.

While I appreciate that no antivirus is foolproof, I'll stick with WinClam for now.

A warning for future queries you might make: many people on the net will not like being asked questions that have answers that are so easy to obtain using google. Ask google first. It would have taken less time to ask google than posting your comment. This search, for example, answers your question immediately.

Well done to the clamav team...i think we as users could make the software great by all making a small donation ($1) per user and we will find that the next release of clam will be far more superior to the current release. Thanks guys great product!!!

says its out of date and i have the latest version i use avast also and avast and norton and most antivirus software dont mix but it loves clamwin and microsoft says to use more than one antivirus program

The reason I use ClamWin and like it best now is because it does NOT have a realtime scanning component. I like max system performance, and use a safer web browser that prevents bad stuff already. So ClamWin is the best if not only free alternative that is ONLY an ondemand scanner. If they do add realtime someday, I hope it is a completely seperate version.

I'm more then a average computer user as I have been building
them for almost 25 years. Over the years I have used about every virus scanner available and too many to mention all of them here. Norton & McAfee are bloated resource HOGS. They will slow your system down on boot and if your on dial up downloaded updates take forever. If you think Clam win is
slow, count all your boot time and updates for just the two
main lines and you will find out you are way ahead. Disregarding how long you wait for other programs to load
because they have grabbed all your overhead available ram.
How many times have you also had to reboot because of a program lock up when trying to run it with Norton or McAfee
installed. I pick on just them as they are the most likely to be purchased (DUE TO NET & COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENT HYPE) but other background scanners that run with your system result in the same truth! My opinion is AVOID THEM & THE
HYPE! I use scan on demand for this very reason. I think
all virus scanners should be this way. Now, don't get me
wrong. They are GOOD products and work well for people who know NOTHING MUCH about computers. Reason being they don't have to worry about updating as its automatic and protection
is automatic. You just pay for non-ability to do the updates and scanning yourself. I have tested Clam win against the
top 10 scanners and have found that Clam rates as high or high then they do. Encryption, Root Kit Virus and Trojans are the new wave. They are very hard to detect by ANY virus scanner. Due to the encryption methods and placement used.
Something to remember however about Clam win even though
it's a better then average scanner. It says it has Outlook
integration. This is ONLY for the Outlook that comes with
Micro$oft Office. Outlook Express is NOT supported yet. I have written Clam to ask them why they decided to support
Outlook and not Outlook Express which most Windows users are going to only have Express as a mail client. (Didn't Understand That One. That's Like Building A Car That Only
People With Freckles Can Drive?) Anyway, best way to handle
mail virus is to NOT POP (download) messages from your ISP
or mail service. Go to the service and review your mail online. Don't download it to your computer when you have no idea whats in it. Thats like opening the door and invite
someone in before finding out who they are and the intent.
I've been using Clam win for years and it's proven to be a
brick wall.

[...]

This is the way to turn your system back to it's original
operation with no LAG and still have all the protection you
you would get with the HOG's! Hope this helps you recover
the pleasure of operation you deserve. Enjoy!

i have an older computer and had it runnin like a tank with all the little tweeks ive learned...now i downloaded avast avtivirus and the computer is very veryyy veryyyyyyy slow....wondering if it would a smart choice to switch to this antivirus software since it has a small file size not taking up as much ram, but i dont want to loose my protection..

Author information

Biography

Robin Monks is a volunteer contributor to Mozilla, Drupal, GMKing and Free Software Magazine and has been helping free software development for over three years. He currently works as an independent contractor for CivicSpace LLC